Although the enemy kept trying to infiltrate their land, Elisha could see them in the Spirit and would let the king know where they were. The enemy was fed up and came to “take out” Elisha. Instead of fearing a whole army advancing against him, Elisha trusted the reality that God had his back. He took care of the problem once and for all. – Teresa #takethemcaptive

 2 Kings 6:15-23 (ESV)

15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.

20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” 22 He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

Jesus Christ the Lord, resurrected…to some it may seem unbelievable but in “Evidence that demands a verdict” and “the Case for Christ” the facts clearly state what has brought some atheists to their knees. For those who fear God, our choice is to become a scoffer as the prophets predicted of those who have already perished or to become a worshiper of the true and living God. #eternalife- Teresa

Acts 13: 26-41 ( ESV)

“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

“‘You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you.’

34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’

35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,

“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed[b] from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,

    be astounded and perish;

for I am doing a work in your days,

    a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

Our son, Peter, is a good example of this verse. He has an understanding mind and spirit. Intuitively, he understands what is the right thing to do. It’s not always the popular thing or the easy thing but it is what he knows is best.- Teresa #proudmom

Proverbs 17:10 (ESV)

10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding

    than a hundred blows into a fool.

There are times when we are so focused on learning a new skill that we have to forget about everything else around us. This concentration makes us appear inward (like Paul when he was blinded by the light). In the end, Saul changed his whole character (and name), he took a 180 degree turn and started praising the One who handpicked him! #Jesus -My heart will sing no other name*. – Teresa

*Forever Reign, by The Hillsong Worship Team

 Acts 9:10-19 (ESV)
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

The stagecouch came to Yosemite Valley in the 1870’s- a Wells Fargo office was set up by 1913 to bring in more stages, send telegraphs and even provide telephone services. The early settlers recognized Wells Fargo as a source of communication with the outside world. Nineteen hundred years before that, Peter and John spent time with Jesus. Being in His presence for three years, they were changed. Those in charge recognized Jesus in them and could not dispute the mighty miracle done for this man who had been lame for over 40 years.  When we spend time with Him- we are changed. – Teresa #healedbyHim

Acts 4: 13-22 (ESV)

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

It’s supposed to be 102 degrees tomorrow! The Santa Rosa plums sure love this heat but I’m not a plum 🙃. How comforting to know that when the stress of life gets turned up, the Lord keeps us and shades us from the deadly heat. -Teresa #wheredoesyourhelpcomefrom?

Psalm 121:5,6 ( ESV)

5 The Lord is your keeper;    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.6 The sun shall not strike you by day,   nor the moon by night.

Fishing lines or nets are cast with the intent of bringing in something heavy or substantial. Our burdens are cast with the  intent of getting rid of something heavy or substantial. David was grieving over his situation, he not only felt dethroned but that God’s favor had left him. After all, his trusted advisor, Ahithophel, joined the conspirators. David remembered that if God could sustain this spinning cosmos, He would sustain this part of life that was spinning out of control! – Teresa #throwitupOnHim #Heisable

2 Samuel 15: 30, 31 ( ESV)

30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 31 And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

Psalm 55: 13-22 (NIV) bold added for emphasis

13 “But it is you, a man like myself,  my companion, my close friend,14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship  at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.15 Let death take my enemies by surprise;  let them go down alive to the realm of the dead,  for evil finds lodging among them.16 As for me, I call to God,and the Lord saves me.17 Evening, morning and noon  I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.18 He rescues me unharmed  from the battle waged against me,  even though many oppose me.19 God, who is enthroned from of old,who does not change- he will hear them and humble them,  because they have no fear of God.20 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.21 His talk is smooth as butter,  yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil,  yet they are drawn swords.22 Cast your cares on the Lordand he will sustain you;he will never let  the righteous be shaken.”

By storing up God’s Word in our hearts, we have truth hidden inside us. This is a safeguard from sin. – Teresa #puregold

 Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV)

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

    By guarding it according to your word.

10 With my whole heart I seek you;

    let me not wander from your commandments!

11 I have stored up your word in my heart,

    that I might not sin against you.

When Mary decided to give up her hope of ever marrying, she gave her most valued possession- the anointing perfume. She poured out her love on the One who had raised Lazarus to life. This one act allowed Jesus to remember why He chose to endure the cross – for the joy set before Him. The aroma of being anointed as King hung in the air as the cruelty against the Messiah ensued. Lord, You are the epitome of great. – Teresa #allthingsnew

John 12:1-8 (ESV)

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound[b] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii[c] and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it[d] for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Barbie dog is either a trash collector or a Starbucks lover first thing this morning! Dogs are man’s best friend…in a world where we cannot choose our family or our coworkers (well not all of them), we can still choose our friends! Jonathon chose to be David’s friend rather than be envious of God’s favor on his life. David wept the most when he had to go away  from Jonathon. Who is our friend? #stickscloserthanabrother- Teresa
I Samuel 20: 40-42 (ESV)

40 “And Jonathon gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.” 41 And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap[f] and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.[g]”